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Alfie to resume skating; if he returns, it’s Detroit or nothing

Detroit Red Wings v New York Islanders

skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on November 29, 2013 in Uniondale, New York. The Red Wings defeated the Islanders 5-0.

Bruce Bennett

Looks as though the Red Wings will learn of Daniel Alfredsson’s future in the coming weeks. From the IIHF’s Szymon Szemberg:

Daniel Alfredsson says on Swedish radio that he will hit ice next week. Depending on how his back will respond, he will decide about future.

— Szymon Szemberg (@Sz1909_Szemberg) August 5, 2014


Finally, @DAlfredsson11 said that if he plays one more year, it will be with @DetroitRedWings. No other options.

— Szymon Szemberg (@Sz1909_Szemberg) August 5, 2014


One last from @DAlfredsson11 “Playing at home 1 last season not an option. It actually takes more to prepare for Euro season than for NHL”.

— Szymon Szemberg (@Sz1909_Szemberg) August 5, 2014


Alfredsson, 41, has been non-committal about returning to Detroit following an up-and-down 2013-14 campaign -- his first with the Wings after controversially leaving Ottawa last summer. The Swedish veteran produced well last year, scoring 18 goals and 49 points in 68 games, but missed extensive time with groin and back problems, the latter sidelining him for the final two games of Detroit’s opening-round playoff loss to Boston.

It’s that wonky back that might keep Alfredsson from returning to play this coming season. That said, there’s also the money issue -- he played last year on a $5.5 million deal and, according to CapGeek, the club has around $5M in space available, with RFA d-man Danny DeKeyser still unsigned.